A record-breaking fundraising! Over 1.4 million euros raised on the Rete del Dono platform.
Milan, May 10th ’24 – Last night, the Milano Marathon Awards took place, a major closing event of the Milanese marathon organized to celebrate the runners, sports clubs, partners, and Non-Profit Organizations that distinguished themselves in this edition, one of the most anticipated sporting events internationally, the Wizz Air Milano Marathon.
An evening celebration in the heart of Milan, just meters away from Piazza del Duomo where this year’s marathon started, and a moment dedicated to the awards of the NPOs, charitable companies, relay teams, and individual fundraisers for this year’s fundraising activities that accompanied the UniCredit Relay Marathon (the relay) and the Charity Program. This project, introduced in 2010, has recorded significant numbers – over 6.5 million euros in fundraising – aimed at encouraging participants to support official organizations in their activities.
Over 1,430,000 euros, a record value of the fundraising registered in 2024 on the Rete del Dono platform (a 33% increase compared to last year). A value also evidenced by the growing involvement of the public on the streets. Numerous cheering areas were positioned along the race course to support the runners, making the race even more exciting, highlighting the increasingly strong bond between the Marathon and the territory. A diverse audience, considering the percentage of foreign participants registered: over 40%, with France, UK, Belgium, Ireland, and Germany among the most represented nations.
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport: “The value achieved this year with the Marathon in terms of fundraising represents an extraordinary record. We are close to one and a half million euros, a result that makes everyone’s work even greater. There are three objectives that we can set for the future: to reach two million next year, sending an even stronger signal to the world; to work together with NPOs on the individual marathon and not just on the relay, to involve 10,000 runners on the course; to increase the number of women running the 42 kilometers, surpassing the 30% of female participants currently registered.”
Luca Onofrio, Mass Events Manager of RCS Sports & Events: “With the start from Piazza del Duomo, we gave a different image of the Milan Marathon and the city. The Duomo belongs to its Marathon! This edition has generated significant social impact. Having had 8,500 participants in the 42 kilometers means that all these people, dedicating time and effort to their preparation, have considered the race a true tool for well-being. Just as the 16,000 relay runners with their 4,000 teams on the city streets have demonstrated the strong value of inclusivity that this sports event has, increasingly open to everyone and contributing to breaking down many barriers.”
Martina Riva, Councilor for Sport, Tourism, and Youth Policies of the Municipality of Milan: “The Milano Marathon is an exceptional sports event that with its fundraising brings us to the top of the European ranking. Being able to run in a team of four for 42 kilometers over the years has been one of the keys to its success. A result from the city of Milan that once again shows its constant availability to others.”
Rete del Dono, partner of the Charity Program since the beginning of this journey in 2012, allows all protagonists, NPOs, companies, and runners to activate with online fundraising campaigns. “The Charity Program of Milano Marathon is an exciting and ambitious project that brings together the territory and the community involving everyone, non-profits and institutions, supporters, runners, and companies,” comments Valeria Vitali, founder of Rete del Dono. “It is proof that there is something greater behind the race: the opportunity to support and bring to life projects that generate well-being, stimulating the growth of a more inclusive and welcoming society.”
Here are the awarded CATEGORIES and the winners of the 22nd edition:
INDIVIDUAL TOP FUNDRAISER: Magister // GROUP TOP FUNDRAISER: The BEAtles runner band // TOP FUNDRAISING RELAY: Sali, Scendi…CORRI! // FACES FROM RETE DEL DONO: Silvia Garavaglia from TOG Foundation // TOP FUNDRAISING COMPANY: Lombardini22 // TOP PERSONAL FUNDRAISING COMPANY: LHS Foundation // TOP FUNDRAISING EMPLOYEES RELAY: ProviAMOci ancora! // TOP DONATIONS COMPANY: Eigenmann & Veronelli // MOST ORIGINAL OUTFIT: Emanuele Poggi dressed as Braveheart // MOST ORIGINAL NAME: I Corsi e Ricorsi.
FOR THE “RETE DEL DONO” CATEGORY
o Top NPO Companies – LILT Milano Monza Brianza o Top Personal Fundraiser NPO – RunChallenge o Top NPO Donations – Sport Senza Frontiere
FOR THE NPO TOP FUNDRAISER AWARD CATEGORY o 1st place – Italian Diabetes Foundation o 2nd place – Dynamo Camp o 3rd place – LILT Milano Monza Brianza
MOST ORIGINAL PARADE: Oklahoma // FABRIZIO COSI AWARD dedicated to the best communication campaign: #milanomarathon2024 TOG Foundation // MOST FESTIVE CHEERING POINT: RunChallenge.
BIRTHDAY AWARD o 50th Marathon – Massimo Marconi o 100th Marathon – Claudio Di Toma o 200th Marathon – Adrian Roberto Gauna
BEST COSTUME – RUNNER: Gordon Jones from Wales dressed as Batman in support of a British NPO.
FUNNIEST MOTIVATIONAL SIGN – EY Italia Onlus Foundation
BEST MARATHON VIDEO – Francesco Benaglia
MOST NUMEROUS RUNNING TEAM
- 1st place – Urban Runners (58 reached the finish line)
- 2nd place – Road Runners (57 reached the finish line)
- 3rd place – Naviglio Running Team ASD (42 reached the finish line)
- 4th place – Runners Bergamo (40 reached the finish line)
- 5th place – ASD Ortica Team Milano (39 reached the finish line)
THE OFFICIAL MARATHON TRAINER. An acknowledgment linked to the Training Program organized in collaboration with the sports clubs of the territory that accompanied individual runners in their preparation journey. Urban Runners // Runners Bergamo // Naviglio Running Team ASD // ASD Ortica Team Milano // ASD Tapascione Running Team // Porada Run.
AWARD DEDICATED TO THE LAST RUNNER TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE. Patricia Leloup from France. She completed the marathon in 6 hours, 35 minutes, and 47 seconds.
OLDEST MARATHON RUNNER AWARD • For women: Annegret Ufer (German, born in 1947) who completed the marathon in 5 hours and 35 minutes • For men: Vincenzo Mason (Italian, born in 1941) who completed the marathon in 6 hours and 12 minutes.
A SPECIAL DENOMINATED “MILAN MARATHON LEGENDS” dedicated to Milan Marathon loyalists, to the ever-present ones from the first edition.
A UNIVERSITY AWARD. As many as 7 teams from Milan universities (Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano La Statale, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca and IULM)
– 1st place: Men Relay Race – Politecnico di Milano
– 2nd place: CUS BICOCCA LA STATALE
– 3rd place: CUS BICOCCA NAVIGLIO
